Inflation

What is next for the economy?

The government bailing out banks and financial institutions by giving them money that they basically just declared to be available makes the value of the money less. This causes inflation which means the prices of everything goes up faster than wages causing every one's buying power to be reduced. Our government thinks inflation can be controlled by raising interest rates on money loaned but it remains to be seen if they will have the wisdom to act before it is too late and the huge accumulating pile of inflationary fuel is ignited.

Fears of inflation is what is currently driving up the price of oil. We are still in a recession which means the demand for oil should be lower than usual. With no drop in production, or an immediate threat to production, there is no reason for the price of oil to be going up. But demand is increasing as investors seek to acquire oil while it is relatively cheap as a hedge against inflation. Such fears coupled with rising prices when the world starts coming out of the recession and "easy" money from low interest loans will trigger inflation.

Inflation on a world-wide level is a sign of being close to the return of Jesus. Inflation will get so bad during the Tribulation that food for a typical family will cost a day's wages... as Revelation 6:6 says, "a quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius" (NKJ). Talk about living paycheck-to-paycheck; everyone will be going in debt just to survive.

Inflation is like a hidden tax. A government that wants its people dependant on them doesn't need to increase taxes, they can achieve the same effect by stoking inflation. The Lord will hold accountable those who perpetrated this crime on people... "Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:4-8, NKJ)

GM Bankruptcy

What trend does the government ownership of GM indicate?

It looks like GM will soon follow Chrysler into bankruptcy and most are saying that the federal government will own 70% of the company after pouring billions into them. My comments on the Chrysler bankruptcy apply here... the government getting into the consumer product manufacturing business is a move toward socialism.

It sounds like the Obama administration is going to take an active role in running GM by appointing board members. I'm sure that GM will become a massive laboratory to demonstrate to the world how an automobile business should be run to turn out vehicles with better gas mileage. We'll see. The federal government does not have a sterling track record when it comes to running businesses... Amtrak and the US Postal Service come to mind.

There is an arrogance here that government can do things better than the private sector which reveals the spirit of the Antichrist. As Daniel 7:88 says, "I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words" (NKJ). The Antichrist follows Satan who is the father of all pride... "For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'" (Isaiah 14:13-14, NKJ)

Our prideful government will eventually be humbled; God will see to it. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18, NKJ).

California!

What does the California Supreme Court upholding the same sex marriage ban tell us?

I know the California Supreme Court is not the same as the federal appeals courts but nonetheless I was surprised that they upheld the vote of the people to ban same sex marriage in California via their Proposition 8. This really goes against the recent trend of courts acting like legislators. It is human nature to be swayed by politics and courts are only human so if that dynamic is at work here, it signals a return to a long-standing tradition in this country: minority rights but majority rule.

This surprising decision of the California Supreme Court may be the result of what looks like the beginning of a popular backlash to radical liberal policies of the federal government. The people of California recently voted against new taxes to deal with their spending deficit. It will be interesting to see if the government of California actually takes steps to reduce their services and thus their expenses which means state employees will need to be laid off. I really hope our federal government does not seriously entertain the idea of bailing out the state government of California; we are all pretty weary of the feds propping up bloated bureaucracies.

For me, the popular uprising against liberal policies we may be seeing is a an indication that the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit is still at work. 2 Thessalonians 2:77 says, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way" (NKJ). The Holy Spirit restrains evil in the world by working through the Church and even unbelievers sympathetic to the Church. Since the Holy Spirit indwells believers, His evil-restraining ministry will be removed with the Church at the Rapture.

It is encouraging to me that God is not done with the United States. This country has been a force for good in this world and my hope is that we will continue to be right up until the Rapture of the Church. I pray our federal government will see the political realities indicated by recent developments in California and back away from their moves toward tyranny. "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Tim 2:1-2, NKJ).

So does this mean that the Lord has delayed His coming? No, He is still on His schedule but it is encouraging to see that He is helping us have more of a quiet and peaceable life while we are still here.

North Korea Nukes

What is up with North Korea testing a nuke and missiles on Memorial Day?

Maybe North Korea thinks they will have more power to negotiate aid from other nations, or maybe they have an irrational fear of being invaded. More likely, they see an opportunity to increase their stature in the world and export their weapons technology to like-minded countries like Iran. North Korea has already helped Iran jump-start their ballistic missile program. Demonstrating a viable nuke will help them to sell their technology to Iran.

The North Korean government senses an environment in the world today where they can get away with belligerent acts of defiance. Who is going to do anything about nuclear proliferation? The United States is the only country that has shown any interest in policing the world but Iraq and Afghanistan has made us weary of this. So we are committed to a new strategy: talk.

The problem with thinking we can solve the problem of nuclear proliferation by just getting all the parties around a table to talk is that it is not grounded in reality. Those who think this is possible are ignoring the truth about the natural depravity of mankind; people are not as reasonable as secular humanists would have us to think… "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJ)

Thinking that we can solve the problem of nuclear proliferation by just talking about it is very dangerous because it doesn't work. All it does is give the aggressor time to develop weapons that will eventually be used. North Korea may not use their nukes aggressively but Iran has made it clear they would use them to wipe Israel off the map. 1Thessalonians 5:33 is screaming out to the nuclear proliferation negotiators: "For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (NKJ).

Yes, the world is a very dangerous place and getting more dangerous by the day. I don't see how anyone who is not looking forward to Jesus returning can deal with the path this world is on. A wise man told a graduating class: "Dream like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow." That is good biblical advice... I know that what I don't get around to do in this life, I'll have all eternity to do. And living every day as if the next moment we could be before Jesus will result in the best life possible... "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11, NKJ)

Closing Gitmo

What is driving President Obama to close the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo?

Guantanamo has become a symbol of the on-going war against Islamic terrorism. President Obama wants us to treat Islamic terrorism as a routine crime and stop thinking of it as a war. (Could this be this what Jesus called a "rumor of a war" in Matthew 24?)

No-doubt, our not having had any terrorist attacks on the U.S. since 9-11-01 could lead us to the conclusion that we can get by dealing with Islamic terrorism in lower intensity mode. But is the reason we've been safe the last 7.5 years because the terrorism threat is not as bad as we thought or could it be that acting as if it is a global war and taking the battle to the neighborhood of the terrorists actually works to keep us safe? Time will tell which is true.

Regardless of what we do to thwart terrorism, our ultimate protection is not the government, it is God. Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain" (NIV). If God removes His hedge of protection, it is for a reason. The spiritual effect of 9-11 was than churches were full and people were giving serious thought to what is really important in their lives. But I fear that as a nation we have slipped back into spiritual complacency since those days.

The more we buy into the idea that our government is our savior, the more risk we are taking that God will need to shake us back into reality. But we may already be in the age when the consequences that the U.S. faces is lumped in with that of the whole world. "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts" (Haggai 2:6-7, NKJ).

Iran Missile Test

What does the Iranian missile test tell us about their intentions?

Iran has proven that they can threaten Europe with their latest missile test. This certainly warns Europe to not interfere with their plan to wipe Israel off the map. Iran does not need to worry about the U.S.; we've made it clear that we're committed to just talking to Iran. The message to Israel is very threatening. If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, they have the delivery system to make good on their threats.

The window is closing for Israel to take action. Russia has appeared to be dragging their feet in following through on installing a modern air defense system in Iran. Pressure from the U.S. and Israel is actually having an impact (chalk one up for the talkers). So Iran has turned to China instead. Iran is determined to get the air defense it needs to protect their weapons production capability from an Israeli attack. Since this is such a high priority for Iran, we can reasonably expect to have their new air defense system in place by September. If Israel is going to do something about Iran's nuclear weapon capacity it will have to be by then.

Israel has been successful in all the serious nation-betting wars it has previously engaged in. And they will be successful against Iran because God has promised in Zechariah 12:66: "In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place-- Jerusalem" (NKJ).

What remains to be seen is the world's response to Israel dealing with Iran. This will likely trigger the chain of events that lead up to the War of Armageddon. It could be what causes Russia to move into the Middle-East as foretold in Ezekiel 38-39.

2009 could be the year we meet the Lord in the air! We must always be ready.

Missing Link

Does the recent discovery of a lemur fossil prove evolution is true?

The discovery of a "lemur-like" fossil has many claiming that this is the long sought-after missing link that proves evolution is true. The fossil is heralded as a missing link because it has long hind legs and opposing thumbs but this is true for lemurs today like all primates. But you will not hear the peer review debunking the "missing link" claim.

This story is popular because most people would like to prove God’s Word to be wrong so they don't have to be accountable to anyone outside themselves. Discovering a missing link is important to evolutionists because there is a conspicuous lack of scientific evidence for evolution. But no fossils of "missing links" proving an intermediate creature between species has ever been found. All claims of this have been found to be wrong or even a hoax upon unbiased scientific scrutiny. This is because God said in Genesis 1:24, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so" (NIV).

The very existence of fossils proves God's Word to be true. What happens when an animal dies? It rots, gets eaten by scavengers, and its bones gets scattered to the four winds. We generally don't have fossils forming today. It takes a catastrophic event like the flood of Noah's day to cover creatures up with silt to produce a fossil. But most people today think Noah's flood is a myth; that is why they will be surprised by the return of Jesus...

2 Peter 3:3-63 says, "scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water." (NKJ)

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

What is the problem with pursuing a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty?

President Obama's administration has begun talks with Russia about mutually reducing nuclear weapons. On the surface this sounds pretty good... if we are ever to get rid of nuclear weapons, someone needs to take the initiative. This would seem especially important in a period where there is renewed interest in nuclear weapon proliferation in the Middle East.

But what looks like a move toward peace is actually destabilizing. The only real benefit of nuclear weapons is as a deterrent to using them. If you remove or reduce the potential for mutually assured destruction, they will be more likely to be used. They are seeking to compensate for this by also reducing anti-ballistic missile systems but this will only further skew the situation against the United States. And in an age where there are groups coveting nukes not as a deterrent but as way to clear the earth of infidels, this trend is a very dangerous thing.

The Bible says that in the time before Jesus returns people will be so blinded by their humanist world-view they will miss-read the realities of the situation. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, "For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape." (NKJ)

Jesus warned the religious people of His day about being so caught up in their religion that they miss the truth that is so clear in God's Word. He said in Matthew 16:3, "Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times" (NKJ).

There are many references in the Bible to destruction before Jesus returns that will likely be due to the use of nuclear weapons. Indeed, Jesus said in Matthew 24:22 regarding the tribulation, "unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened" (NKJ). Nuclear weapons have the capacity to destroy all people on earth. Thank God Jesus will return before that happens!

Recession Insecurity

How should we respond to the insecurity of the recession?

The monthly job loss statistics are starting to improve which gives many hope that the recession has bottomed out. But world unemployment is higher than it has been for decades and still expected to get worse before it improves.

With all the changes going on in the world today, we generally end up having to do more with fewer people on the job. This increasing stress makes us long for the day when we can cease from our earthly labors. But God placed us where we work to serve His purposes. We should be encouraged by His promise in Revelation 22:12 which says, “behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (NKJ).

Today’s rapid pace of change is a sign that we are not far from the Lord’s return. As Daniel 9:26 says, “the end of it shall be with a flood.” Since we don’t have long to wait, we should resolve to persevere and make good use of the time we have, especially on the job.

Hate Crimes Law

How does the new hate crimes law target Christians for persecution?

The agenda of those promoting passage of the new hate crimes law is pretty clear... bring an end to free speech. As our government slips steadily toward totalitarianism, people saying things the ruling elite do not agree with can not be tolerated.

Dr. James Dobson has summarized some of the provisions of the new and proposed federal legislation calling them "utter evil." For example, under existing federal law, someone who "induces" a crime can be tried, convicted and sentenced as the principal. He said that leaves open pastors and Christians to be prosecuted should someone who commits a crime claim to have heard them speaking against homosexuality.

More and more we see our government adopting policies that are the same as what we expect from the coming world ruler. Revelation 13:7 says regarding the Antichrist, "It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (NKJ). God is subtly removing his restraining hand on the Evil One to foreshadow what is coming on this world.

None of this should be a surprise to Bible-believing followers of Jesus because He said this would happen before He returns in Luke 21:12: "they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake" (NKJ).

I believe the worst of the persecution will be after the rapture of the church because 2 Thessalonians 2:77 says, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way" (NKJ). The evil-restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit will be removed when the church is raptured off the planet. Followers of Jesus should be encouraging by this; but as Jesus advised in Luke 21:36, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (NKJ).

With laws like the new hate crime bill, we can't have long to wait. Maranatha!

Carbon Dioxide Regulation

Is carbon dioxide pollution?

The global warming faithful are in power in the United States and are working on various schemes to extract taxes from the use of energy that emits carbon dioxide. This will significantly impact our economy because more than 90% of the energy used by the world is produced from fossil fuels, oil is necessary for transportation and coal produces most of the electricity. The global warming fearful are even in pursuit of having CO2 regarded as a pollutant by the EPA. That makes us all guilty since every time people and animals exhale carbon dioxide is expelled. It is important to note that plants need carbon dioxide to grow and transform it into oxygen. God created a self correcting system that scrubs CO2 from the air.

The problem with the coming carbon taxes is that is will drive the prices of everything up in an already struggling economy. These draconian measures will not be applied uniformly by the world; the U.S. government is determined to be a leader in this and thus will take unilateral action. The net result will be loss of the economic power the U.S. once enjoyed in the world.

The U.S. has to cease dominating the world economy in order to make way for the coming global government. This pattern of surrendering sovereignty is what will enable the Antichrist to come to power... "These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast" (Revelation 17:13, NKJ).

War on Drugs

Why are we losing the war on drugs?

Among the wars and rumors of wars going on today is the war on drugs. We keep hearing how the violence is ramping up in Mexico due to drug lords competing for market share in the US. And a lot of this violence is now spilling over into the US.

The problem is getting so bad that some are now saying that the solution is to surrender and just make drugs legal. I expect that this will eventually happen to some degree because many in government are starting to see drugs as a tax revenue source. Legalizing marijuana in California is currently being debated. With the kind of debt our governments are incurring, finding creative ways to extract more taxes is the order of the day.

Another reason I expect some currently illegal drugs to become legal is that the Bible says the use of drugs will increase in the time-period preceding the return of Christ. Revelation 9:21 says, "they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (NKJ). The word translated "sorceries" from the original Greek language is pronounced "pharmakeia." Yes, this is the root for pharmacy, or drugs.

All kinds of drug use will increase as we get closer to the return of Jesus, both legal and illegal. People think they can cure anything if they just get the right drug. Certainly God has blessed us with advances in medical science that has improved life for many. But it is idolatry when we begin to think that it is the drugs that help us and not the Great Healer Himself.

As we get closer to the return of Jesus, more and more people will recognize that the world as they know it is coming to an end. Many of those who don't know Jesus as their Savior well seek to medicate away the prompting of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We should intervene and pray for those we personally know who are caught up in the culture of "pharmakeia" before it is too late for them.

Condemning Israel

If we are to condemn Iran for pursuing nuclear weapons, why shouldn't we condemn Israel for having them?

On the surface this seems like a reasonable question and is effectively the argument that Iran is making to the UN. But the difference is that the leaders of Iran is on record seeking the destruction of Israel while Israel only seeks to continue to exist. Israel's weapons are defensive serving as a deterrent to aggression against them; Iran not only wants to "wipe Israel off the map" but Ahmadinejad has said on multiple occasions that he considers himself to be the one who will cause sufficient turmoil between nations to enable their messiah, the 12th Imam to appear. The "Prince of Persia" referred to in Daniel 10:13 is again at work opposing God and His people.

Israel is a frequent target of condemnation by the UN so Iran's argument will likely fall on sympathetic ears. Fortunately, for Israel's sake the UN's proclamations go largely ignored by the world. But this constant wearing away at Israel will take its toll to the point where Israel will jump at the chance to make peace by embracing an emerging world ruler. Jesus told the leaders of Israel, "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive" (John 5:43, NKJ). God will use this experience to turn Israel back to Him... "blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Romans 11:25, NKJ).

It bothers me that our country is increasingly becoming aligned with those nations that oppose Israel. The problem with this is a promise that God gave Abraham regarding his descendants: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3NKJ). When the Lord returns, He will judge the nations on the basis of how much they helped His people in their time of need… "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me'" (Matthew 25:40, NKJ). I'm glad I will not need to stand with the delegation of nations when Jesus judges them; "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20, NKJ). Maranatha!

Global Warming

Why has the global warming dogma become so politically correct?

Being on the politically correct side of the climate change issue has become a litmus test for where a person stands on a whole collection of humanist issues. Solving the great global warming threat has become urgent because any change in the weather is frightening to materialists who have bought into the lie that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:44, NKJ). The global warming faithful don't recognize that Almighty God is in control.

Fixing climate change is now seen by many as the most important objective for mankind. The people behind this agenda are driven by their emotions ignoring the evidence that global warming is not be caused by human activity. They pursue a solution for global warming with a religious fervor seeking to rally the whole world around this problem. Since climate change is seen as a global problem, the whole world needs to be united in solving it. Indeed, solving the global warming problem will be a great monument to human achievement.

The prevailing attitude involved here reminds me of another time people came together for a great human achievement: "they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth'" (Genesis 11:4, NIV). As people thought they could reach God by coming together and pooling their efforts, people today think they can achieve their on deliverance by rallying the world around the global warming problem. The idea that mankind is causing global warming is a religion that may not be contradicted.

Those who have the religion of global warming certainly fear what is coming on the earth because the mild global warming that is seen today is but a foreshadowing of the real global warming that God will send on the earth... "the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:7, NIV).

Turkey, Iran, & Sudan

What do Turkey, Iran, and Sudan have in common?

Well one answer is Islam but more significant from a prophetic standpoint is Ezekiel 38. I've been seeing more and more reports of the right nations becoming aligned with Russia to set the stage for Ezekiel 38. This is a prophecy of Russia invading the Middle-East in order to fix the "Israel problem." For today's example, see this article. Translating from the Ezekiel 38 vernacular, Magog = Russia, Persia = Iran, Gomer = Turkey, Cush = Sudan... anyone can check that out in Wikipedia.

The only country aligned with Russia mentioned in the referenced article that is not among the Ezekiel 38 nations is Syria. It is possible that the demise of Syria is the trigger for the Ezekiel 38 invasion. Or what happens to Syria could be a consequence of being a staging ground for the Ezekiel 38 invasion. Either way, Isaiah 17:11 says, "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap" (NKJ). It is interesting to note that Damascus is proud of its heritage as the oldest continuously functioning city in the world. Well the day is coming when that distinction will end. Syria is a proxy of Iran and is currently the spearhead of the nations threatening Israel. There will be consequences for nations that oppose the apple of God's eye, see Genesis 12:3 and Zechariah 2:8.

I know this sounds pretty incredible but change is happening very fast in our day. This is all very good news for those of us who look forward to spending eternity with Jesus!

National Day of Prayer

Why did President Obama snub the National Day of Prayer?

President Obama has done a lot to boost religious pluralism during his first 100 days. He conducted the first ever Passover Seder at the White House and is regularly reaching out to Moslems. But he apparently does not think evangelical Christians is a group worth pandering to. This is because among Liberal, Cultural Christians it is not politically correct to give aid and comfort to those who believe there is only one way to heaven. Bible-believing Christians take the words of Jesus literally when He said, “no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJ).

Excluding Bible-believing Christians from the public square is a subtle form of persecution that will only get worse as time goes on. Indeed, “this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world” (1John 4:3, NKJ). And we know the Antichrist will persecute God’s children per Daniel 7:25. Thank God that the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine comes from the most literal interpretation of Scripture!

The National Day of Prayer has traditionally been a time when we come together to pray for our country and government officials. Even though president Obama does not value our prayers, we should pray for him… he needs it more than he’ll acknowledge; not to mention that we are commanded to in 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

Swine Flu Desolations

How do the school closings due to Swine Flu reveal that we're in the age of the return of Jesus?

People have a sense that something is up and know that worldwide afflictions are a sign that Jesus is returning soon... "there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:11, NKJ).

There seems to be increasing incidents when populations of people become deserted from certain places. This happened in airports after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. I had the sense of this watching the news coverage of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. And now we're seeing desolation happening due to a potential new plague. Of course the Swine Flu is not a plague yet but it threatens to be one because it hit young, healthy people in Mexico harder than the usual seasonal flu. And of course the conventional wisdom is that we are overdue for a pandemic... "The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined" (Daniel 9:26, NKJ).

Iran (aka Persia in Ezekiel 38)

What will the United States do about Iran?

It does not look like the United States government will do anything of substance to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The message to Israel is, you are on your own. This is the conclusion of an article in the Jerusalem Post reporting on comments from Newt Gingrich.

Indeed we expect the U.S. to adopt a posture that leaves Israel to fend for themselves in the time-frame of the return of Jesus because: “it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it” (Zechariah 12:3, NKJ).

USA Debt

What will become of the new huge debt in the US?

The economic power of the United States will be diminished in the world because, "the borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7, NKJ).

This is necessary to usher in the coming world government… "authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Revelation 13:7, NKJ).

Wild out of control spending reflects a materialistic perspective that says, "If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" (1 Corinthians 15:32, NKJ)

President Obama during his campaign said: “I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.” This reveals a trend toward socialism where more governmental control over people is required. The coming world government ruled by the Antichrist will exercise total control over the public such that, "no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17, NKJ).

Economic Turmoil

How has the big government crowd benefited from the economic problems?

As Rahm Emanuel said in an interview with The New York Times shortly after Election Day: “You don’t ever want a crisis to go to waste.”

Certainly the economic problems we are experiencing is a world-wide problem that the world has to come together to solve. This spirit of world-wide collaboration will be used by the Antichrist to rule the world… "authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" Revelation 13:7, NKJ).

Chaos reigns in the world of capitalism. The rules are changing and no one knows what or who the government will target next. This is a tool that the Antichrist will use: "He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law" (Daniel 7:25, NKJ).

Chrysler Bankruptcy

What will become of Chrysler now?

My prediction: Chrysler will become part of a government work-fare program that doesn’t have to show a profit (kind of like NASA is now). The government (we the taxpayer) will subsidize them so that highly compensated union workers can keep their jobs. Corporate decisions will be made on the basis of maintaining jobs, not building products consumers want. Quality will suffer but prices will be low enough due to government subsidies that people will buy the cars anyway. The public will eventually accept the new level of mediocrity.

This is all part of a broader move toward socialism which enables more governmental control over people. This is a sign of the soon return of Jesus: "no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17, NKJ).

Swine Flu Pandemic

Why the hysteria over an infectious disease that has so far been no worse than the usual seasonal flu outbreaks?

A materialistic perspective comes with a fear of death... "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:14-15, NKJ)

This is the mainstream press simply exercising their increasing power to control people that will increase in the end times. As we get closer to the return of Christ, propaganda will get more and more powerful: "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13, NKJ)